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WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section.
DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Baclofen (also known as Lioresal, Gablofen, Kemstro, Liofen, Баклосан) is a depressant substance of the gabapentinoid class.
Baclofen is a GABABreceptoragonist and central nervous system depressant used to treat spasticity, and holds promise as a treatment for alcoholism[3].
The drug is sometimes taken in non-medical settings because it can provide anxiety reduction, sedation, and some euphoria. It’s usually described as somewhat similar to phenibut in its effects.
As with phenibut, baclofen is a derivative of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), except with a chlorine-substituted phenyl group in the β-position of the molecule. It is a chiral molecule and thus has two potential configurations as (R)- and (S)-enantiomers. It has an almost identical chemical structure to F-phenibut (only replacing a fluorine with a chlorine atom in the para-position of the phenyl group).
Pharmacology
Baclofen produces its effects by activating the GABABreceptor, similar to the drug phenibut which also activates this receptor and shares some of its effects. Baclofen is postulated to block mono-and-polysynaptic reflexes by acting as an inhibitory ligand, inhibiting the release of excitatory neurotransmitters.
Similarly to phenibut (β-phenyl-GABA), as well as pregabalin (β-isobutyl-GABA), which are close analogues of baclofen, baclofen (β-(4-chlorophenyl)-GABA) has been found to block α2δ subunit-containing voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). However, it is weaker relative to phenibut in this action (Ki = 23 and 39 μM for R- and S-phenibut and 156 μM for baclofen). Moreover, baclofen is in the range of 100-fold more potent by weight as an agonist of the GABAB receptor in comparison to phenibut, and in accordance, is used at far lower relative dosages. As such, the actions of baclofen on α2δ subunit-containing VGCCs are likely not clinically-relevant.[4]
Subjective effects
In comparison to other commonly used GABAergic depressants such as alcohol or benzodiazepines, baclofen is reported to be longer lasting, more euphoric and more recreational at higher doses.
Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWikicontributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.
It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.
Baclofen is moderately physically and psychologically addictive, although this usually only occurs with heavy abuse of the substance.
Discontinuation of baclofen can be associated with a withdrawal syndrome which resembles benzodiazepine withdrawal and alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms are more likely if baclofen is used for long periods of time (more than a couple of months) and can occur from low or high doses. The severity of baclofen withdrawal depends on the rate at which it is discontinued. Thus to minimise withdrawal symptoms, the dose should be tapered down slowly when discontinuing baclofen therapy. Abrupt withdrawal is more likely to result in severe withdrawal symptoms. Acute withdrawal symptoms can be stopped by recommencing baclofen.[6]
Withdrawal symptoms may include auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, tactile hallucinations, delusions, confusion, agitation, delirium, disorientation, fluctuation of consciousness, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, inattention, memory impairments, perceptual disturbances, itching, anxiety, depersonalization, hypertonia, hyperthermia (higher than normal temperature without infection), formal thought disorder, psychosis, mania, mood disturbances, restlessness, and behavioral disturbances, tachycardia, seizures, tremors, autonomic dysfunction, hyperpyrexia (fever), extreme muscle rigidity resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome and rebound spasticity.[7]
Baclofen produces cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all GABAgenic depressants]], meaning that after its consumption, depressants will have a reduced effect.
Dangerous interactions
Warning:Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).
Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.
Dissociatives - This combination can result in an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and dying from the resulting suffocation. If a sudden loss of consciousness occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.
Stimulants - It is dangerous to combine phenibut with stimulants due to the risk of excessive intoxication. Stimulants mask the sedative effect of phenibut, which is the main factor most people consider when determining their level of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the effects of phenibut will be significantly increased, leading to intensified disinhibition as well as other effects. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only dosing a certain amount of phenibut per hour. This combination can also potentially result in severe dehydration if hydration is not monitored.
Legal status
Russia: Promethazine is available through a prescription.
↑Agarwal, S. K., Kriel, R. L., Cloyd, J. C., Coles, L. D., Scherkenbach, L. A., Tobin, M. H., Krach, L. E. (January 2015). "A pilot study assessing pharmacokinetics and tolerability of oral and intravenous baclofen in healthy adult volunteers". Journal of Child Neurology. 30 (1): 37–41. doi:10.1177/0883073814535504. ISSN1708-8283.
↑R-phenibut binds to the α2-δ subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels and exerts gabapentin-like anti-nociceptive effects. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26234470
↑A pilot study assessing pharmacokinetics and tolerability of oral and intravenous baclofen in healthy adult volunteers. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25028414
↑Koski, A., Ojanperä, I., & Vuori, E. (2002). Alcohol and benzodiazepines in fatal poisonings. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 26(7), 956-959.
